August 7 2024
In the United States, 2023 saw an average wedding cost of $30,119, but I know it might be news to you when I say…The United States is pretty big. SO what can you expect to pay? In San Francisco, the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was $56,867 while in Wilkesboro, NC it was $18,280.
We are here to explain everything you need to know about why certain aspects surrounding your wedding day like location can vary wedding costs so greatly so that you can be completely prepared in creating an ideal and manageable wedding budget for your big day as you begin your wedding planning process.
For the purposes of this post, we will be using Raleigh, NC as an example for creating a budget as Raleigh’s average cost of a wedding for 125 people is less than $1000 above the national average starting at $31,070.
The wedding venue:
Your venue will be up to 50% of your budget. In this example, the venue is 45.8% of the wedding budget at $14,230 minimum. This includes food and bar service.
Wedding vendors:
The other vendors will make up various percentages of your budget, but the largest will be your planner, florist and DJ combined for 24% of the budget coming in at $7,257.
Wedding photographers and videographers:
A typical couple will spend about 17% of their budget on their wedding photographer and videographer. For this wedding, that is at least $5,281.
Dress and attire:
You can expect 6% of your budget to go towards attire. In this Raleigh wedding, that means $1,864 minimum.
Limitations on your wedding budget could bring limitations to other aspects of your wedding such as the size of your guest list, the location of your venue, how formal you want the attire to be for yourselves and your wedding party, and even the season or day of the week. If you have a larger budget, try to build your budget around your dream wedding and then make cuts from there. If you have a smaller budget, plan for less and then you can always expand your guest list or add extra details later.
The size of your guest list can majorly affect multiple expenses within your budget. Catering typically charges anywhere from $40-$150 per plate depending on your menu, so adding extra guests will quickly add zeros onto your catering budget. An open bar will also cost more for a larger wedding.
Once you have more guests on your list, you will also need a big enough space to accommodate them. Larger reception venues will cost more as the expenses associated with operating a larger venue are higher than a small venue. There is more set up, break down, lighting, electricity, bathroom supplies, and the list goes on.
Lastly, more guests also means more of the little things such as wedding favors and welcome bags at the ceremony if you need to provide hand warmers, fans, or something else. A larger wedding party also means more money to be spent on attire unless you plan to leave these costs up to the wedding party.
Choosing a wedding venue and location is one of the most important decisions leading up to your big day.
The cost of living varies greatly across the country depending on the state, and whether or not you are in a city or small town. Due to this, wedding costs will also vary greatly. In a large city, you should expect to pay much more than in a small town. Even some small towns could be expensive wedding locations if they are tourist destinations. You will need to plan your wedding budget accordingly.
If you opt for a destination wedding, this is sure to skyrocket your budget (but could definitely be worth it if you have the extra money to spend!) If you are not prepared to hire vendors local to your destination, you will have to pay hefty travel fees for your vendors. Additionally, you will most likely want to pay for the travel accommodations for certain close friends and family. These expenses add up quickly. If you want a destination wedding on a budget, try hiring local vendors or opting for a small, intimate guest list.
Another big factor in your overall wedding budget will be the season and day of the week you choose for your wedding ceremony. The spring and fall are the dates with the highest demand so often you will see higher vendor and venue fees for these months. Similarly, Saturdays are the most common choice for weddings, and may leave little to no room for negotiations. If you would like to keep costs low, consider having your wedding in the cooler months or on a day of the week less common such as a Sunday or even a Friday. Since demand for these days is lower, your vendors could be more open to lowering their rates for you since the chances of them getting another booking for that date are slim.
As you are making your wedding budget, be sure to come to a decision on the level of formality you want for the evening. This will affect the costs associated with your wedding attire. If you are having a custom wedding dress made, this will be pricier than a set design. Will you be covering the costs of your bridesmaid dresses and tuxes with the groomsmen or do you expect them to purchase their own attire? Adding boutonnieres and tuxedos for the wedding party will cost more than standard suits and pocket squares.
The vendors you choose are what will make or break your wedding budget. Before choosing vendors, it is smart to go in with a game-plan of what you can afford in each category. Here is what to expect based on the average wedding cost in the United States.
Officiants:
For our Raleigh example wedding, an officiant would be around $250-350. This fee can change based on the type of officiant, their experience, and any extra services like custom vows or premarital counseling.
Wedding planners:
Depending on the area you live in, you could spend anywhere from $3,300 to $15,000 on a full service wedding planner. If you need to save, consider using a month-of or day-of coordinator.
Florist:
Expect to spend $3,200-4,500 on your bouquets and wedding flowers. This typically makes up 10-15% of your overall wedding budget. Check for extra service fees and delivery fees. Pricing will vary based on how many bouquets you need and the types of wedding flowers you want.
Live bands / Wedding bands:
Live Bands will typically cost more than a DJ. Plan to spend at least $2,000 for a 4-piece band, up to $7,000 if you want larger bands.
Videography:
Some photographers may offer a bundle that contains wedding videography included. This may save you some money, but if you opt for a separate videographer, plan to spend around $2,500 on a videographer. This price may increase depending on the location and the videographer’s experience.
Number of bartenders needed:
If you are providing an open bar, bartenders will be needed! The number of bartenders needed will likely depend on the venue ad the size of your guest list, but this 125 guest Raleigh wedding budgets $2,800 for bar services.
Personalized wedding invitations:
Lots of paper goods go into the details of a wedding day like invitations, save-the-dates, menu cards, place settings, and ceremony programs. You should expect to spend around $700-800 for a wedding of 125 guests unless you opt for more detailed designs or handwritten calligraphy.
Rentals:
When it comes to the details for your venue and reception space like linens, centerpieces, dance floor tiles, and signage, you will typically have a rental agreement option with the venue. Centerpieces may be rented through the florist. Similarly, the wedding cake designer may have cake stands available to rent. If you do not like what is available or if your venue does not offer rentals, there are plenty of event rental companies that will have larger selections than wedding venue rentals. Plan to spend around $2,000-3000 for the average rentals.
Use these numbers as guidelines as they are based off a wedding with the average US wedding cost, but if you have a larger or smaller budget, there are plenty of ways to adjust. Be sure to get quotes from multiple vendors in each category and make sure your top vendor is available on your wedding day before writing others off. Our Day is a great tool for being matched with vendors that are within your budget. We can take care of the research for you!
Let’s look as some more specific examples of wedding costs across a few types of weddings with these example wedding budget breakdowns!
These budgets clearly show how your guest list, location, and wedding style can affect your total budget. While these seem like a lot, they are still missing added details you may want for your wedding like a rehearsal brunch, paying for your guests travel costs, or gifts for your parents and wedding party. It is smart to use your dream wedding as a starting point and work backwards from there so you get as much of what you want as possible. If you need to cut back across several categories and you do not know how, consider lowing the number of wedding guests. Keep your family members and loved ones, but do not feel pressured to have other distant contacts on the final list.
Creating your wedding budget is only step 1. Sticking to it may be the hardest part. If you are paying for your wedding out of your own savings account or gifts from family, it is a good idea to create a schedule for when you need to book what vendors and make note of the pay-by dates and if they accept payment plans. For all vendors, it is best to book as soon as possible to have the best chance at booking your first choices, especially if you are getting married on the busier wedding dates in the spring or fall. Start with the venue as it is one of the larger up front costs. Then move through your planner, photographer, and other vendors. Your planner an also help you keep track of your budget and your deadlines like the marriage license application due date. Your dream wedding is within reach as long as you keep your expenses and timelines documented.
There is lots of room to make mistakes in the wedding planning and budgeting process, but you are already ahead of the game by reading this article! Mistakes, small and large, can have huge impacts on your day. We want you to be prepared.
Even if your partner wants you to have full creative control over your big day, money is a separate issue. Be sure to include your partner in the budget making process no matter what. Most married couples agree that their greatest source of arguments is money, so stay ahead of the stigma by communicating about the funds available, what you each see as reasonable, and how you want to designate the funds. Honesty and transparency are key! No reason to bring unnecessary stress into what should be a happy process. Plus, a little help goes a long way
Your wedding is more than just a one-day affair. Most weddings also include a rehearsal dinner, a wedding shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the honeymoon, and sometimes even engagement parties. If you plan to have all of these extra events, be sure to include them in the budget so you do not run into unwanted surprises.
While including guest expenses is not a must, many couples want to cover these costs as they can add up for your guests. This includes things like your wedding party’s attire, wedding favors, accommodations for out-of-town guests, and travel expenses for destination weddings. Pick-and-choose what you can afford and and who you can afford it for, and leave the rest up to your guests. If you are leaving these large expenses in your guests’ hands, just do not be too hurt if they are unable to join you for your big day.
While you are constructing your wedding budget, be sure to do your research on what vendors are taxed in your state. Other fees you will want to include are travel fees, gratuity, and service charges. If you are not anticipating these extra fees at the start of your planning process, you could be surprised when the bill comes for your catering, bar services, DJ, or other vendors. It may be difficult to accurately calculate these costs before meeting your vendors and reading over your contracts, but start by adding an extra $1,000 to cover these costs and you can adjust down the line if you have a surplus or deficit in this allowance.
While we all hope our wedding planning processes will be a breeze, it rarely actually turns out this way. Chances are, something will go wrong, so why panic later when you can plan ahead for the emergencies now? A smart couple will set aside 10-15% of their wedding budget for emergencies. This could include things like a rain-contingency plan, covering last minute booking fees if one of your vendors falls sicks, or replacing your dress or tux when the airline loses your luggage on your flight to your destination wedding. The hope is that you will not have to touch this fund, and later, you can redirect that money to your honeymoon!
In the current economic climate, your savings account may look less than ideal for planning a wedding, but we have some tips for how to cut down on your costs and get your dream wedding within reach.
While you may want a short engagement, it is not the most affordable choice! Book your venue well in advance to avoid rate increases and last minute booking fees.
Do not be afraid to negotiate with your wedding vendors. This could include opting out of certain services they offer that you do not necessarily need or even trading a service you provide for their wedding services. For example, if you design websites, ask your DJ if you can redesign their website in exchange for them DJing your big day.
A lot of vendors will offer bundles which can not only save you money but also save you time and energy otherwise spent on researching and coordinating extra vendors. Look out for venues that offer rentals, catering, and bar services in one. Also consider a wedding photography company that offers videography as well.
While wedding planners are guaranteed to make your wedding planning process easy peasy, if you have the time and the energy, consider doing the majority of your wedding planning yourself if you need to cut down on wedding expenses. Recruit family and wedding party members to help you DIY along the way and find a day-of coordinator to ensure a smooth wedding day once you have nailed down all of the details.
Once you start researching wedding bands, you will be shocked to see how affordable they can be! If you want to splurge, splurge on a big rock for the engagement ring and choose less expensive (but still gorgeous!) simple wedding rings. Her is a simple and elegant wedding band for less than $400.
There are many different ways to finance your wedding, and the best part? None of them include selling a kidney. Begin by totaling up savings you and your partner have set aside for your wedding as well as any financial gifts from your family members. Once you have that number, look at your dream wedding budget and find the balance you will still need to cover. If it is a small amount, ask yourself if you can work a little extra and cut back on iced coffees to cover these costs. If it is a large amount, consider opening a credit card or taking out a personal loan to cover these costs. Before choosing one of these options, do your research on APRs and be sure you know how you will be paying off these expenses without accruing thousands more in interest fees.
Have you been taking notes? I hope so, because now it is time for you to go make your own wedding budget! But if you still need help, know that Our Day is here to make your wedding planning process a breeze. Register today and we will match you with the perfect vendors for you and your budget. Start by checking out our Vendor Marketplace!
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